Massive signature bridge project builds to 2027 opening

In the heart of downtown Miami, the arches are rising.

The distinctive and iconic Signature Bridge continues to reach upward as a key element of the I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design-Build Project. Overall project completion is now expected in late 2027.

The sweeping construction work is from a partnership of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and its contractor, the Archer Western – de Moya Group Joint Venture.

The overall $818 million project includes the Signature Bridge over Northeast Second Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard, an upper deck of traffic built over State Road 836 and the Miami River, and the addition of one lane to the northbound entrance to I-95.

The goal is to add capacity, enhance the flow of traffic and safety, and improve access along I-395, SR 836 and I-95.

In an email to Miami Today, FDOT communications specialist Cynthia Turcios said work continues day and night as crews make major enhancements to the three major corridors within the project limits.

“Concrete pavement replacement on I-95 within the project limits from Northwest Eighth Street to Northwest 29th Street has been substantially completed, and the 95 Express entrance and exit points have been relocated to their original location,” wrote Ms. Turcios.

She said construction of a new bridge over Northwest 17th Street to widen the SR 836 and I-395 ramps to northbound I-95 is ongoing. Foundation construction is also ongoing adjacent to I-95 for the new westbound I-395 ramp to southbound I-95.

Construction on the new State Road (SR) 836 double-decked roadway continues from Northwest 17th Avenue to I-95. The second level of the roadway will provide drivers with a direct connection to the MacArthur Causeway that is free of local entry and exit traffic.

The existing SR 836 roadway (lower level) and bridges will serve as a collector-distributor system that allows drivers to enter and exit from the current local roads and I-95.

“This collector-distributor system will reduce the existing weaving movements resulting in enhanced safety and better traffic operations on SR 836.

The completion and opening of the second lane on the eastbound SR 836 ramp to northbound I-95 has improved traffic flow in the area,” Ms. Turcios wrote.

Traffic was recently shifted on eastbound SR 836 from Northwest 12th Avenue to I-95, allowing the contractor to begin the construction of foundations for the new double-decked roadway.

The contractor started installing the auger cast piles for the foundations near I-95 and is moving toward the west to Northwest 12th Avenue.

Construction of the piers will follow. Pier and foundation construction is mostly completed from Northwest 12th Avenue to Northwest 17th Avenue, with crews finishing two piers in the Richard Gerstein Justice Building parking area.

Crews have also drilled shafts for foundations on the west bank of the Miami River and are currently drilling shafts on the east bank.

Ms. Turcios said construction of foundations and piers at the core of the SR 836/I-95/I-395 Interchange is also ongoing.

“Total reconstruction of the I-395 corridor continues with ongoing construction of the new bridges from I-95 to just east of Northeast First Avenue and the construction of the signature bridge that will span over 1,000 feet from just west of Northeast Second Avenue to the MacArthur Causeway,” she wrote.

Ms. Turcios detailed the status of the project.

The contractor has erected 940 individual pre-cast bridge segments for the eastbound and westbound bridges that will carry traffic to local roadways and connect with SR 836 and I-95.

These new bridges, being constructed on either side of the existing I-395, are scheduled to be open to traffic late this year.

Once eastbound and westbound I-395 traffic flows onto the new bridges, demolition of the existing roadway can take place and construction of foundations for the new mainline I-395 will begin.

Signature Bridge work continues with the construction of four of the six signature bridge arches.

A total of 34 arch segments have been erected to date at two of the arches.

The contractor is installing reinforcing steel for the upcoming footer concrete pour at a third arch, and crews are preparing for concrete pedestal pours at the fourth arch.

Roadway crews continue work on upcoming traffic shifts on I-395 and the Biscayne Boulevard ramp to the eastbound MacArthur Causeway to begin foundation work on the remaining two arches.

It will take a total of 345 precast arch segments to complete the construction of the six arches, and 161 out of the 345 arch segments have been cast to date.

The massive center pier structure between Northeast Second Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard just north of I-395 continues to take shape with the completion of multiple concrete pours.

“Crews are now placing reinforcing steel and forms for additional concrete pours that will serve as connection points for all six arches,” Ms. Turcios wrote. “Erection of the arches from the center pier structure is expected to begin in mid-September.”

Details: www.I-395miami.com